Discover North Goa’s Emerging Design Scene Through These 5 Bars And Restaurants
Five bars and restaurants that lure you away from the Goan coast and into the heart of North Goa’s vibrant dining scene.
Interwoven with heritage, art, and landscape, these new-age bars and restaurants in North Goa offer a contemporary twist on dining, where the captivating design draws you in but the inviting ambience makes you stay. From vintage vinyl tunes that usher in the Mediterranean mood to centuries-old colonial properties revived with a fresh lease on life, explore these five hotspots that serve extraordinary dining adventures.
1. Grumps Drinks & Eats, Bardez
Integrated into a restructured outhouse, including the firewood storage room and the open space between them, the indoor-outdoor restaurant is designed to feel comfortable and approachable. (Image Credits: Sachin Soni)
Serious about their flavours and easygoing with their ambience, Grumps Drinks & Eats prides itself on perfecting the art of crafting the ideal dining experience. A friendly neighbourhood bar with a twist on classic cocktails and fun Asian cuisine, it is the perfect hideaway spot tucked away in the narrow lanes of Sangolda. “Grumps is a contemporary bar set in an old structure; our modest attempt at paying homage to the old tavernas of Goa,” muses designer Rochelle Santimano of Studio Praia.
Also read: Experience The Elegance Of The Bridgerton World With These 3 High Socie-Tea Affairs Of London
The main bar room itself is an envelope of all things Goa – right from the choice of materials, to the antique light fixtures, the decor, the hardware and the photos up on the walls. (Image Credits: Sachin Soni)
Keeping up with the laid-back essence of the bar, it occupies the backyard of a 1930s Portuguese home called Goro House, where the unassuming laterite façade ushers the landscape into the space. An extension of the verandah, the bar and dining space chime to the calming sounds of nature and soft music. With a natural palette of materials such as cement oxide, terrazzo, kota stone, teak wood, and cane, the indoor-outdoor bar emanates a warm and approachable atmosphere.
#DPLoves the garden space extending from the bar, where rows of fruit trees—jackfruit, chickoo, and mango—create a natural, lush dining atmosphere.
2. Analogue Bar & Kitchen, Anjuna
Nothing evokes a European fiesta in the heart of Goa quite like Analogue Bar & Kitchen’s unique take on groovy music paired with Mediterranean flavours. Veiled behind neutral textures and warm surfaces, this breezy, multi-level dining restaurant is where culinary artistry and vinyl melodies blend harmoniously. Using reclaimed wood and repurposed structures, the furniture and décor stay true to the rustic style of the restaurant, bringing a modern twist to the classics.
Also read: 3 Of The Finest Indian Eateries In Washington, D.C. Showcasing India’s Rich Culinary History
With a dedicated DJ console featuring a fully hand-built analogue audiophile system and a pair of turntables, this earthy escape envisioned by designer Pooja Palan comes alive with the charm of an open and welcoming layout. Whether you’re a gastronome, a vinyl enthusiast, or someone seeking a refined and unique dining experience, Analogue invites you to ‘Savour. Groove. Repeat.’
#DPLoves the vinyl collection, which spans a wide range of genres—from Jazz to Rock, Soul to Electronica—just waiting to be explored.
3.MTW Bar & Toasties, Panjim
The mosaic work that wraps around the bar is inspired by Mario Miranda’s mural of the Goan landscape. (Image Credits: MTW)
Shredding away weekday woes in Panjim, MTW Bar & Toasties was originally conceived solely as an office and experimental workspace for Nao Spirits, the pioneers of gin in India. After gradually opening its doors to the public, MTW now offers a complete bar programme to rescue Goa especially on ‘Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’ with its carefully curated selection of gin cocktails and delicious toasties. A marketing office by day and a cocktail bar by night, MTW comes alive once the office lights dim down to a deep red.
Also read: Eat, Stay, Explore: A 24-hour Culture-Lover’s Guide To Marrakech
With a clean design philosophy, MTW presents itself as a canvas for the diverse activities that bring the space to life. (Image Credits: MTW)
With a palette of neutral tones and functional furniture sourced from IKEA, this unique speakeasy bar serves as a canvas for various activities throughout the day. It transitions from a clean and minimal workspace during the day to hosting workshops and art events that flow into the tinted red nights. “From the mosaic bar and polaroid wall to the almost preachy signages that bring one back to alertness, once you see it, you can’t unsee it. It doesn’t feel like you’ve come to a restaurant; it feels like you’ve entered a creative space that invites you to dig deeper and discover,” hints Aparajita Ninan, designer and Co-founder of Nao Spirits.
#DPLoves the mosaic bar countertop, inspired by Mario Miranda’s mural of the Goan landscape on the facade of Hotel Rohma.
4. The Sanctuary Bar & Kitchen, Vagator
This 40-seater cabana and veranda seating create a lively and inviting atmosphere for families and couples, especially as the evening sets in. (Image Credits: Sankalp Malik)
Breathing new life into a 200-year-old Portuguese villa in Vagator, The Sanctuary Bar & Kitchen serves as a tranquil retreat designed by Gokul Krishna, Founder and CEO of W Design Studio. With a Goa-inspired menu featuring global comfort food, the kitchen is led by Sarah Todd, a finalist on MasterChef Australia. Embracing Goan roots and ruins, the restaurant spans the property with an alfresco garden backyard, an art room, a children’s room, lounges, and dining spaces within the villa.
The layout consists of multiple unconnected areas, allowing for intimate dinners, lively gatherings, private parties, or quiet relaxation in the art room with music of your choice. With a rustic wooden bar discreetly tucked behind the ruins and antique wooden doors, as well as furniture and décor that seamlessly blend architecture, nature, and art, The Sanctuary Bar & Kitchen invites you to explore and unwind within Goa’s hidden gems.
#DPLoves the bold artworks by Masuram Ravikanth, Rohit Krishna, and Vaishali, which create dramatic moments, while stone sculptures and antique wooden doors enhance the charm.
5. SĀRVAA, Panjim
In Fontainhas’s iconic neighbourhood, a bright colonial villa has been transformed to celebrate the quintessential culinary traditions of the Indian peninsula region. Celebrating the heritage of its address as well as its ingredients, SĀRVAA stands out in the culinary landscape of North Goa with a dedicated focus on presenting coastal cuisines with a modern twist. From Kolhapur to Chennai and up to West Bengal, SĀRVAA, through its open-fire cooking technique, brings together a kitchen and bar family where the boundaries between cuisines blur.
Also read: From Tokyo To Latin America, 3 New Mumbai Hotspots That Blend Design And Dining
SĀRVAA showcases the ‘Parilla Grill’ from Spain’s Basque country, alongside a charcoal hibachi and wood-fired oven, captivating diners with the culinary process in full view. (Image Credits: SĀRVAA)
This philosophy is reflected in its spaces, where the interiors and décor envisioned by Siddharth Garrimela of ESQUISSE DESIGNS blend vintage and modern styles inspired by the diverse menu. Unconventional embellishments grace the walls, akin to enchanting art installations, while exposed bricks witness the passage of time, lending a rustic authenticity to the space. A vibrant mosaic of tiles, each adorned with intricate patterns, converges to embody the Bohemian essence that resonates deeply with the soul of Goa.
#DPLoves the array of tiles on the walls, each with intricate patterns that come together in a harmonious mosaic, capturing the Bohemian essence of Goa.
